Barnsley: David Flitcroft gets chance to prove his Oakwell worth

Neil Goulding
Barnsley

BARNSLEY director Don Rowing believes new manager David Flitcroft will stamp his own identity on the club.

The Reds will officially unveil Flitcroft as their new manager at Oakwell today.

But his appointment has only come after both Sean O’Driscoll, who was yesterday unveiled as the new Bristol City boss, and Inverness Caledonian Thistle manager Terry Butcher turned down the job.

Rowing revealed: “It’s important to stress that David is not our third-choice. I’ve spoken to him at length about doing the job and he’s assured me he that he’s going to be his own man. There was an air of disappointment that Sean and Terry decided not take the job, but David has been loyal to the club and the last three performances from the team having been very good. That had a big bearing on him getting the job.

“Whenever there’s a managerial vacancy there’s always an air of uncertainty, particularly from the players. We needed to get some sense of balance and stability. Some people have criticised us for taking so long to make a decision, but we’ve done things right.

“David has a different style of management to Keith Hill and I think we’ve seen that in the few games he’s been in charge.

“He understands that we’ve got improve links the community and what’s required to keep us in this division.”

Rowing revealed that the board have given Flitcroft the green light to recruit new talent, with as many as four new players muted to be heading towards Oakwell.

And in a move to increase dwindling attendances the club have cut ticket prices by £5 to entice more supporters through the turnstiles.

Reds’ fans can now pay £20 to watch any of the nine remaining home games as Flitcroft and his players look for all the support they can get to stay in the second tier. “Without your fans you’re nothing,” said Rowing. “We’re mindful of the fact that we’re in a recession and it costs a lot of money to watch a football match.

“But we’ve made a calculated gamble the fans will come back and support us. We need them and the team do.”